Agapanthus orientalis plant named &#39;Snow Cloud&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Lily of the Nile plant named  Agapanthus orientalis  ‘Snow Cloud’, substantially as shown and described.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a new and distinct selection ofAgapanthus orientalis which is native to South Africa and a member ofthe amaryllis family. Agapanthus orientalis ‘Snow Cloud’ was not theresult of a breeding program. The seed was collected in April 1987 at myresidence in Waitara, Taranki, New Zealand from a plant of Agapanthusorientalis growing in close proximity to an Agapanthus inapterus. Theopen pollinated seed was sown and my selection was made in February 1992at Waitara, Taranki, New Zealand. Tissue culture initiation was begun in1995 at Lifetech Laboratories Ltd. in Albany, Auckland, New Zealand.

[0002] My new selection has been asexually reproduced by tissue cultureat Lifetech Laboratories in Auckland, New Zealand since the discovery in1995. It is unlikely the particular select and favorable attributes ofthis plant could be conveyed to progeny through sexual reproduction inthe next generation. However, through extensive propagation throughtissue culture it has been established that the novel exceptionalcharacteristics of this plant are stable and reliably passed on toclonal specimens through asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY

[0003]Agapanthus orientalis cultivar ‘Snow Cloud’ possesses aninflorescence with unusually large numbers of florets. The number offlorets is double the number of a typical Agapanthus orientalisinflorescence. This high number of florets is exhibited in the dense,rounded, compact inflorescence that ranges in a diameter of 16 to 20centimeters.

[0004] Perianth color is white with no other color tone evident. Thesingle flowers exhibit a long tubular form typical of the believedpollen parent Agapanthus inapterus. The perianth sections of Agapanthusorientalis are generally six parted. The florets of ‘Snow Cloud’ numbersix to eight perianth segments, producing a fuller inflorescence.

[0005] Normally, seed production is recognized as flowers maturehowever, in the case of this selection, fruit has not been observedwhich would be an attribute for landscape use.

[0006] Temperatures tolerated have ranged in the low of 10 degreeFahrenheit which is equivalent to an USDA hardiness zone of eight,without exhibiting any damage.

[0007] Growth and/or color may vary with the time of year, lightconditions, soil, and nutrient conditions. Plants which are grown inshade conditions with greater available nitrogen may exhibit darkergreen foliage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0008] The accompanying photographs illustrate the present invention asfollows:

[0009]FIG. 1 shows a group of ‘Snow Cloud’ plants in flower.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a close up of the inflorescence of ‘Snow Cloud’ whichexhibits the density of the florets, the uniform white color of theperianth and perianth segments numbering from six to eight.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0011] Below is a detailed description of Agapanthus orientalis ‘SnowCloud’. The color terminology is based on The Royal Horticultural ColorCharts. Measurements are based on plants grown in Australia andCalifornia.

[0012] Overall habit: Herbaceous perennial.

[0013] Overall size: Maximum height observed from soil surface to top ofthe inflorescence ranges from 90 to 120 centimeters with a typical range90 to 100 centimeters. Maximum height from soil surface to upper most ofleaves at flowering time ranges approximately 50 centimeters.

[0014] Bloom Season in California: Bloom commences in early summer(approximately two to three weeks after Agapanthus ‘Glen Avon’ (U.S.Plant Patent Pending) and continues about three months, therefore, bloomwill appear throughout the summer months.

[0015] Foliage: Linear, strap-like.

[0016] Size:

[0017]Length.—From base to the tip of mature foliage, typically longerthan 40 centimeters and generally shorter than 60 centimeters.

[0018]Width.—Maximum width of mature foliage, typically wider than 2.5centimeters, generally 3.5 centimeters.

[0019]Number.—Leaves per bud at flowering time, typically more thaneleven.

[0020]Shape of leaf tip.—Obtuse to slightly acute.

[0021]Margins.—Smooth, entire.

[0022]Color.—Upper leaf surface, Yellow Green Group 146 A. Lower leafsurface, Yellow Green Group 146 A.

[0023]Texture.—Slightly fleshy, succulent.

[0024] Inflorescence:

[0025]Arrangement.—Single umbel, primary and secondary inflorescences.

[0026]Width.—Maximum width at time of flowering is typically wider than16 centimeters, on average 20 centimeters. Secondary inflorescenceaveraging 18 centimeters.

[0027]Height.—Side view at time of flowering is typically ranging from10 to 20 centimeters, on the average 13 centimeters. Secondaryinflorescences averaging 12 centimeters.

[0028] Flower:

[0029] Scape:

[0030]Length.—From soil surface to base of primary inflorescence at thetime of flowering is typically ranging from 80 to 90 centimeters,averaging 80 centimeters. The length of scape on secondaryinflorescences averages 40 to 58 centimeters.

[0031]Thickness.—Typical maximum thickness at the middle point of thescape on a primary inflorescence at time of flowering averaging 1.3centimeters. Secondary inflorescence scape diameter averagesapproximately 7 millimeters.

[0032]Cross section.—Shape at middle point of scape at time of flowering— Rounded to elliptic.

[0033]Angle.—At time of flowering — straight.

[0034]Color.—At middle portion of the scape at time of flowering,Yellow-Green Group 146 B.

[0035]Florets.—Perianth Shape: Long, tubular, spreading. Number ofPerianth Segments: Total six to eight segments, averaging PerianthColor: Inner and outer sides White Group 155D. Color does not changewith maturity. Number of Florets per Inflorescence: Approximately 350.Length: Side view from base to tip of floret 3.5 to 4.0 centimeter.Width: Diameter averaging 3.0 centimeter.

[0036]Pedicel.—Length: 4.5 to 6 centimeter long. Color: Yellow GreenGroup 144 A.

[0037]Stamens.—Number: Six Arrangement: Adhere to within the throat 1.4centimeter from base, 2.5 centimeter long from perianth. Anthers:Typically 2 millimeters in length. Yellow Green Group 154 B. Pollen:Yellow Green Group 154 B.

[0038]Pistil.—Length of Style: Typically 20 millimeters long. Fruit: Notobserved. Disease Resistance: As is typical of this species, the ‘SnowCloud’ cultivar exhibited a strong disease resistance under normalgrowing conditions.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Agapanthus orientalis plant named ‘SnowCloud’ substantially as shown and described which differs distinctivelyfrom other Agapanthus orientalis plants by its unique combination ofsingle white florets, dense inflorescences that produce twice theaverage number of florets and a prolonged flowering period due to theproduction of secondary flowering spikes.